I love quiet summer moments in the garden

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July is just around the corner and with it the long, warm days of midsummer.

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Blue skies and warm breezes lure us out of our daily lives and onto the beach, the ice cream stand or the hammock. After all the hustle and bustle of spring and early summer, July can feel almost quiet in comparison. Most of the work is done and the blooms have given way to a more tranquil palette of green. A nap in the shade is one of life’s greatest pleasures and there’s time for it this month. But the garden beckons too and if you look long enough, there’s always something to do.

Over the years I have learned to appreciate working in the garden. The benefits are many – physical, emotional and ecological. Interacting with our natural environment not only moves our bodies, but also our mood. I have rarely left the garden worse than when I entered it. That’s why I love July, because I can take my time with my tasks. For quiet moments among the plants. To think about nothing and everything and maybe discover something new.

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July’s hot, dry weather is the perfect setting to tackle weeds you may have missed in early spring. A thorough clean-up in early to mid-July will prevent many of the worst annual and perennial weeds from setting seed. As cliche as it may sound, “one year of seed, seven years of weeding” is the simple truth. Removing unwanted plants before they set seed is half the battle.

As a garden matures and the plants shade the ground around it, it requires less and less maintenance, but some weeds always find a way in. Regular weeding reduces their numbers and makes them less difficult to remove. A good, sharp steak knife is an excellent tool for weeding between the plants. And while you’re there, you might be lucky (and still be able to) watch others at their work. I’ve watched leafcutter bees cutting crescents from the red bud leaves and native carpenter bees shaving the fuzz off the stems of the campion plants. I’ve caught mums of rabbits among the peonies and dragonflies taking their afternoon naps.

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Removing spent flower heads, also known as pruning, is a chore that isn’t really a chore. Many spring-flowering plants have finished flowering and the stems can now be removed. For plants that are a little overgrown (Campanula, Stachys, Muscari), pruning is an effective way to keep them in check. With a good pair of secateurs (or two), most stems can be removed quickly.

Daylilies are the star of July and it is fun to remove the spent blooms. Gently and methodically removing the spent blooms is my favorite way to relax after a day at work and I look forward to the daily task. Daylilies all have their quirks and some are better than others. My mango daylily is my favorite to remove; it is as satisfying as picking ripe fruit. I save it for guests when possible. The red and deep purple varieties are a favorite to tend to in the morning because their spent blooms leave stains of color on your fingers. Others fall off at the slightest touch.

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You can of course leave them to themselves. The spent flowers will eventually dry and fall off on their own and will not be damaged, apart from the odd dried flower clinging to a new bud. As with most spent flowers, this is a general clean-up before the late summer flush of blooms.

Daffodil leaves continue to mature into July and can be unsightly as they yellow and droop. Tuck the leaves between later-flowering plants to hide them as they mature. Tulip leaves also take time, but can be removed by gently pulling on the stiff brown stem in mid-July – another satisfying feeling. Allium and any early spring-flowering bulbs are treated in the same way. If you want to divide your bulbs, you can do so any time after the leaves have faded. Bulbs can be dried, sorted and replanted immediately, or stored in a cool, dry place until planted in early fall.

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If the spring was wet and growth was lush, as it was this year, early July is the time to thin plants for air circulation. Peonies, tall garden phlox and monarda are all susceptible to mildew. Thin out plants that are too close together by removing a few stems to increase air circulation and prevent disease and pests. As the season progresses and the late summer spectacle begins, plants that are past their prime or are ragged can be cut back to give late bloomers their moment in the spotlight.

That’s enough work to warrant a nap. If you can only get one or two tasks done before the end of the day, consider weeding or watering, whichever is most pressing. And if you don’t have enough gardening yourself, your local horticultural society is sure to have enough. Volunteers are always welcome and celebrated as the great gift they are. The Tillsonburg Horticultural Society’s regular meetings take a summer break until September, but you can contact them through their website and social media pages.

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